White House: Syria atrocities proves need for U.N. response

July 13, 2012|Reuters

ON BOARD AIR FORCE ONE, July 13 (Reuters) - The White Housesaid on Friday that further "atrocities" in Syria by PresidentBashar al-Assad's forces should eliminate any doubt that acoordinated international response was necessary at the UnitedNations.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters on AirForce One that through "repeated acts of violence against theSyrian people" Assad had lost the legitimacy to lead.

Opposition sources said on Friday about 220 Syrians, mostlycivilians, were killed in a village in the rebellious Hamaregion after being bombarded by helicopter gunships and tanks.